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Déjà vu all over again: Dealflow wilts with worst Q2 since 2020

Just like the second quarter of 2025, dealmaking momentum fell in the face of macro turbulence.

Private equity deals were fewer but bigger in the first quarter

In Q1 2026, the volume of completed PE transactions dropped while overall deal value rose.

Q4 private equity-backed completed global deal volume marked weakest finish in five years

Not only are fourth quarters usually stronger, they are usually the strongest quarter of their years. This was not the case in 2025.

Private equity dealmaking showed early signs of rebound in Q3

Sources told PE Hub they expected an uptick in deals in the second half – the latest numbers suggest that optimism was warranted.

Q2 2025: Worst quarter for private equity deal volume since Q2 2020

Tariff turmoil took a considerable toll on completed PE transactions.

Q1 2025: Deal activity dips as uncertainties rise

Some of the biggest deals that closed in Q1 were in the TMT sector: Silver Lake bought Endeavor for about $10bn; IBM bought HashiCorp for $8.1bn; Blackstone and Vista bought Smartsheet for $7.9bn.

We analyzed three years of fundraising data for women-led VC firms

Fundraising by women-led venture firms dipped last year, but our analysis of three years of research shows female venture capitalists have plenty to be happy about.